The water level of rivers Teesta and Dharala were flowing above the danger level on Saturday due to heavy downpour and onrush of water from the hilly areas in the upstream.
Executive engineer Robiul Islam of Bangladesh Water Development Board at Dalia division said that River Teesta was flowing at least 22 centimetres above the danger level at Dalia point while Dharala 14 centimetres above the danger mark at Kulaghat point.
Twelve upazilas including Gangachara, Kawnia, Pirgacha, Sundarganj, Fulchari, Rajarhat, Olipur, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Lalmonirhat sadar became flooded Saturday morning.
Several thousands of people in several unions of Hatibandha upazila, Kakina, Votemari union parishads of Kaliganj upazila, Mohishkhocha of Aditmari upazila, Khuniagas, Mogholhat, Kulaghat, Rajpur areas of sadar upazila, Nohali, Mohipur, Gojogantha of Gangachara upazila, Haragach, Balapara, Modhupur of Kawnia upazila, Chawla, Pawtana of Pirgacha, Gorildhanga, Biddanando of Rajarhat upazila were now marooned by the floodwater.
The officials at local BWDB office warned the inhabitants of the low-lying areas of Teesta and Dharala to remain alert about the latest flood situation.
Several people, including Chakina Bewa and Amir Ali of the flood-hit Kawnia said that there was still no help or cooperation from UP chairman and government authorities.
Abul Kalam, chairman of Chaola Union Parishad in Rangpur’s Pirgachha upazila, and Nurul Amin, chairman of Sinduna UP in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat, said that they had not received any government help so far, but said the list was on processing.
Rangpur divisional commissioner KM Tarikul Islam said that they were monitoring the situation and had asked the higher authorities for relief for the affected people.
Dalia BWDB executive engineer Robiul Islam said that the river was flowing 22cm above the red mark at Dalia point at 12:30pm.
The BWDB sources said that onrush of hilly waters causes concern as India opened 54 gates of Gajaldoba Barrage and issued alert in the adjacent areas.
Teesta Barrage authority also opened 44 gates to tackle the pressure of gushing waters from upstream.
The situation in the district worsened further on Saturday as fresh areas of 77 villages in 12 upazilas in Rangpur went under water, leaving 70,000 people marooned.
Atair Rahman, chairman of Goddimari union, said, ‘Now the rivers Teesta and Saniazan are separated by only one meter area. If the erosion by both of the rivers started together, at least two lakh people of the district will be left marooned.’
Joity Prashad Gosh, chief engineer of BWDB in Northern Zone said, ‘We started dumping sand bags in the affected areas to prevent further erosion’.
